30 Minute Pizza

So, the last few days before grocery day can be pretty painful, and "slim pickings" might be an understatement for some of you. I have a recipe straight from the inner workings of my brain that will solve those cutting-corners blues...PIZZA!

Pizza is delicious and simple, and everyone loves it, but nobody enjoys waiting forever for it to cook. This recipe, from start to finish, takes 30 minutes, and the ingredients can be found in just about anybody's fridge at just about any time. 

You'll need:

• 1 wheat pita
• 1 tbsp of blue cheese
• 1/2 a white onion, sliced
• 4-5 slices of deli ham, chopped 
• about 4 or 5 broccoli florets, cut into smaller pieces
• a handful of mozzarella cheese
• oregano, to taste

Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. Put a tablespoon of margarine in a skillet on medium high heat. Toss in the onion, and add some salt and pepper. It will take about 10 minutes for the onions to caramelize. Add in the broccoli, and cook for another 5 minutes.

Heat the pita in the oven for just a minute or so. Just enough for it to be warm. Take it out and spread the blue cheese over the pita. Add the ham, veggie mixture, and mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano to the pita. (Most pizzas are sprinkled with oregano, so that is why I included it in the recipe. Plus it tastes great!)

Heat in the oven for 5-10 minutes, and Voila! You'll have a simple and very flavorful pizza in 30 minutes or less. Rachel Ray would be very proud. 

What are your favorite pizza toppings? Do you prefer red sauce or white sauce on your pizza?

The Perfect Party Plate

I came across this recipe pretty much by accident. It was Valentine's Day, and I wanted to surprise Scott with a simple appetizer before we decided to make dinner for each other, later that evening. I was perusing through Pinterest, as I usually do when I'm looking for inspiration, when I came across this little gem. I read over the recipe and thought that I could simplify it so basically anyone could prepare it with little ingredients, and very little effort. 

If I ever throw a dinner party, or a trendy tapas party, I'm totally breaking out this recipe! For my version of the recipe, here is what you'll need:

• 28 Ritz crackers (I used the wheat, generic Publix brand)
• 1 small tub of chive flavored cream cheese
• 4 or 5 slices of cooked ham
• 4 or 5 slices of roasted red peppers, chopped (I used Mancini's brand that come in a jar)
• parsley

1. Lay the Ritz crackers out on a cutting board, platter, or on whatever surface you are going to present them on. 

2. Spread a dime-sized dollop of cream cheese over the unsalted side of the cracker.

3. Cut up the thin sliced, deli ham into squares, or you can just tear it into pieces like I did. (it was much easier that way, and it looked more rustic). Place ham on top of cream cheese.

4. Cut up the roasted red peppers into squares, so they fit nicely on top of the ham.

5. Sprinkle each cracker with some parsley for garnish, and Voila! There you have it.

It's really as simple as that. It was the perfect party snack, and Scott gobbled them up. I was really surprised how tasty they were for such a small bite. 

What is your favorite appetizer or tapas plate to entertain with?

4th of July Follow-Up

First off, I would like to start by saying that I hope everyone had an enjoyable and safe fourth of July! I know I sure did! Aside from the fireworks, I had a quiet fourth, complete with a perfect alternative dinner to the usual grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. If you're looking for a twist on the traditional, or your grill is broken beyond all repair, I have the recipe for you...

BBQ Pulled Pork!!

Scott suggested the idea, so I got to searching the Web for the perfect recipe. The best way to have a relaxing and stress free holiday is to break out the slow cooker. Get up early and try this recipe because it's definitely worth it! Instead of reading the entire page, I really found the pictures helpful. Just remember, all you need is:

• salt & pepper
• rib rub (or any meat rub)
• 1 - 2 onions (depending on their size)
• a few cloves of garlic
• BBQ sauce
• a slow cooker
• water
• liquid smoke (I used worcestershire sauce)

...and most importantly, 8 hours! Different recipes told me different times, but eight seemed to be the average. Just season your meat, season your vegetables, cover everything with water, and eight hours later you have pulled pork! Once you strain everything, mix in the BBQ sauce and you've got a great alternative to any grilling shenanigans. 

I think my favorite part of the meal was the pasta salad. A few nights prior to the fourth, Mom made a warm pasta salad tossed in some oil, garlic and herbs. It's amazing what you can do with some ingenuity and some Italian dressing. I kept the pasta cold, tossed it in some Italian dressing, salt, pepper; threw in some diced red peppers...and BAM! I had to steal Emeril's classic line, because the pasta salad was just so darn creative and delicious, if I do say so myself!

What are some of your tricks to transforming left overs? What dinners did you prepare to celebrate the fourth? Do you have any creative alternatives to hamburgers and hot dogs, and outdoor grilling?

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Cheese Braid

When I am at my highest level of boredom, I always find myself surfing the pages of Pinterest. One particular day, I found this amazing and simple recipe and I knew that I had to try it ASAP! 

If you like chicken, cheese, bread, or maybe even broccoli, then this is definitely the recipe for you. Not only is this Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Cheese Braid simple, but it is quick and just as delicious. It's quite the tongue twister though, so don't try to say it five times fast. 

Shortly, after I called my mother into my room to feast her eyes on the recipe, she made a grocery list and told me that we were going shopping. I made it to accompany our dinner that night, and everyone agreed that it had sealed it's spot as a new family favorite.

So thank you to Food Family Finds for the wonderful recipe!! Go ahead and try it yourself and tell me what you think! What is your cheesiest recipe?